At least 150 households in remote indigenous peoples (IP) communities in Lake Sebu and Tboli towns in South Cotabato will benefit from an innovative potable water system project supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Sammy Malawan, DOST-Region 12 Director, said Friday they are working on installing hydraulic ram pumps (hydrams) in three upland communities to help address the limited potable water supply.

The proposed locations are in Barangay Laconon in Tboli and sitios Lamdel and Fidaw of Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu.

A team from DOST-12 presented early this week the Science Technology Aqua Ram Pump (STARP) to South Cotabato Second District Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, whose office will fund the project.

“Our team will conduct site visits and evaluation on Saturday for the proposed installation of the hydraulic ram pumps,” Malawan said in a statement.

A DOST briefer said the hydrams utilize the energy from flowing water such as a spring, stream, or river to pump water to a height above its source.

It uses a mechanism that pushes an average water discharge of 22 liters per minute and a multi-media filtration system that uses activated carbon, pebbles, coarse sand, and fine sand.

The target areas are IP communities covered by the community support program of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion. (PNA)